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Get out the vote

Perhaps the third time's the charm. At least, that's what the folks at Trails 2000 are hoping when it comes to the Chapman Hill Bike Park Project.

After two unsuccessful grant requests for funding through Great Outdoors Colorado, Trails 2000 turned to the 2014 Bell Built Grant and recently found out they were selected as one of the finalists.

But, if this third time is going to be a charm, it's going to be up to voters. The winner is chosen by a public vote.

Awarded to the top vote-getter in each of three regions, Chapman Hill's park plans are going up against designs in Chicago, Indiana and Minnesota. They make up the final four in the Central Region, where one winner will emerge with the $100,000 grant prize.

The grant program supports projects that both cater to a variety of mountain bikers and offer features like flow trails, downhill or gravity trails, and pump tracks. Chapman Hill is slated for flow trails, an upgrade of the existing trails, and a pump track that can accommodate all ages and skill levels.

“The funds from winning this grant would allow us to significantly contribute to the success of this project and fulfill the unmet needs for a bike park in Durango,” said Mary Monroe Brown, director of Trails 2000, in a press release.

Tagged as “12 Finalists, 6 weeks, 3 Winners,” the grant program gives each finalist two weeks to rack up as many votes as possible, regardless of population.

This could put Durango at a disadvantage competing against the big cities but, according to the press release, Trails 2000 feels that the combination of national ties, local leaders, local bike legends and an enthusiastic community will help the small town in Southwest Colorado bring home the bacon.

“We are now relying on the efforts of the folks in our community to come together and cast their vote and spread the word to help us secure this grant,” Monroe Brown said.

Recently, Trails 2000 and Inside Durango TV (IDTV) spent the day at Chapman filming a video with local bike legends Travis Brown and Ned Overend to promote the project and entice voters to choose the Durango project.

The time to vote for Chapman is from April 21 to May 4. To place your vote, go to http://www.bellhelmets.com/bellbuilt.

The winner for the Central District will be announced May 5.